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EFLECTIONS FROM GHANA by Annie Kjaer Editor’s Note: As many of you TO KNOW GOD,TO KNOW EACH OTHER read in the last issue of Inside Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time Report, Annie Kjaer led a team and see Jesus face to face when He lived on earth? of Amazing Facts College of If He looked at you, how would you feel? I imagine He would be very Evangelism (AFCOE) graduates and volunteers to Ghana, Africa, to gentle, yet very strong. He would linger behind when others hurried hold 26 simultaneous evangelistic meetings. Due to space limitations, away—take time to know me, dispel my fears, uncover buried tears and we were forced to cut parts of her article that we really wanted to keep wipe them away,kindle my laughter, and share the joy of His presence in. So we decided to run her inspiring and powerful “Reflections from with me.I know He’d carry my joys and sorrows as His own.And He Ghana” here, knowing you will be blessed. We also hope you’ll catch the would see through me, yet love me still. The Bible shows this picture incredible vision of Hope for a Hemisphere, joining us in prayer and of God in the life of Jesus, yet it is rare to find people who reveal God’s support as Amazing Facts illuminates the Dark Continent. character like this, people who love others the way Jesus does. As I reflect on AFCOE’s mission in Ghana, I realize that I’ve been CARING FOR NEW BELIEVERS touched by God’s love through my Ghanaian brethren—touched in Children are very important in the Ghanaian culture.“There is no a deeper way than ever before. I’ve seen God’s desire to know us wealth where there are no children,”they say.This is true not only of through the friendship of Ghana.An African proverb says,“Humanity the family, but also of the church.As God forms a child in the has no boundary”and “It is a human being that counts; I call upon mother’s womb and brings her out into the care and safe-keeping of gold, it answers not; I call upon cloth, it answers not; it is a human a father’s arms, so He is bringing precious souls to the arms of the being that counts.”Jesus counts time not by the steady ticking of the church in America, Ghana, and around the world.Acts 2 tells us that clock, but by the rhythmic thumping of the human heart. He cares the Lord adds to the church such as are being saved. about the thoughts and feelings, and He draws near. When we consider the needs of new church-family members, Ghanaians share this love for people.“We will talk for hours with any few words can equal the wisdom of the African proverb “Absence stranger who crosses our path and by the time we part there will does not bring up a child.” Children desire connection and be little we do not know about each other.We do not regard it closeness. Ghanaian mothers practice this as they wrap their as impertinence or an invasion of our privacy for someone precious bundles in cloth and carry them close, while fathers to ask ‘personal’ questions, nor have we compunction about hold their toddler close and gaze down at their legacy. questioning others in like manner.We are open to the I understood it better when a trusting, happy little girl climbed interests of other people. Our curiosity does not stem from into my lap and fell asleep during Sabbath worship. a desire to interfere in someone else’s business but is an Ghana’s people reminded me expression of our belief that we are wrapped up together in that life is not about things this bundle of life and therefore a bond already exists between and my accomplishments. Life myself and a stranger before we open our mouths to talk” is connection with God and (African Cultural Values, page 132). people—not isolation. That’s “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, what people look for in God’s house: if ye have love one to another”(John 13:35). They need a spiritual family— “Then shall the King say unto them on his right a family who loves them and holds hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the them close. They need you. My kingdom prepared for you from the foundation personal journal expresses it this of the world: For I was an hungered, and way: “When I give, I give myself.” ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye Until we give ourselves to others, gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye we have not given anything. took me in. … Then shall the righteous In all our planning for evangelism and answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we nurturing of new believers, let’s remember thee ... a stranger, and took thee in? … that only love is strong enough to capture And the King shall answer and say unto the wandering footsteps of the human son them,Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done or daughter and keep them safe from danger it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have in the fold of God’s family. done it unto me”(Matthew 25:34–40). INSIDE2REPORT JULY/AUGUST 2002 Contents INSIDE REPORT VOL. 20, NO.6 Cover Design: Haley Trimmer PRESIDENT/SPEAKER 2Editorial DOUG BATCHELOR “Reflections from Ghana”by Annie Kjaer EDITOR ANTHONY LESTER ART DESIGN/LAYOUT Feature HALEY TRIMMER COPYEDITORS ARLENE CLARK 6Finding the LU ANN CREWS SCOTT STEWARD Missing Peace Inside Report is a bimonthly publication of Amazing Facts, Inc. Doug Batchelor explores the keys to It is provided free of charge to the friends and supporters of Amazing achieving inner peace in a world full Facts on request. Contributors to the of turmoil. Find out what the Bible says ministry will receive Inside Report for one year from the date of their about false peace and how to find the most recent gift. peace that surpasses understanding. P. O. B OX 1058 ROSEVILLE, CA 95678-8058 14Bible Answers PHONE: 916-434-3880 Can a person find favor with God by FAX: 916-434-3889 INTERNET: WWW.AMAZINGFACTS.ORG living biblically but not going to church? E-MAIL: [email protected] 20On the Road with John Bradshaw Amazing Facts is a nonprofit Christian ministry that utilizes A glimpse into the life of an Amazing Facts literature, radio, television, the Internet, and public evangelism to evangelist. From the seminar podium to your bring the saving truths of Jesus front door, here’s John Bradshaw! Christ to a lost world. For its operation,Amazing Facts depends on the gifts and prayers of 19David’s Lasting Legacy concerned, likeminded Christians. Learn more about the benefits of Amazing Facts gift annuities. FREE FROM AMAZING FACTS 5POP Goes Evangelism Amazing Facts offers a free 27-lesson Take a look at Amazing Facts Panorama of Prophecy CD. 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And you won’t want to 11Evangelism Update 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. Pacific. miss our amazing fact on health! Inside Report is printed at 16Behind the Scenes Pacific Press in Nampa, Idaho. 28Special Recognition JULY/AUGUST 2002 INSIDE3REPORT I have nearly completed the course on BibleUniverse.com.It changed my life—my marriage is stronger,my family life is better,we no longer consume alcohol, we eat healthier, but most of all the change is coming from within— praise God! Your course has enlightened and encouraged me in my love for Jesus and His message.This dim little light gives thanks for this wonderful course! 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